An analysis was done of federal statistics to explore the relationship between Hispanic Americans' dropout rates and migration. An analysis of November 1989 data revealed that among 16- to 24-year-olds Hispanic American dropout rates are 3 times higher than those for non-Hispanic Americans. In looking at the impact of immigration on Hispanic American dropout rates the analysis found that Hispanic American dropout rates were higher than those for non-Hispanic Americans even when subjects' place of birth was taken into account. About 72 percent of 16- to 24-year-old Hispanic Americans were not born in the United States or were first generation as compared to 9 percent of non-Hispanic Americans. The dropout rate for Mexican Americans is 35.8 percent, for Puerto Ricans is 32.1 percent, and for Cubans is 9.2 percent. Mexican Americans account for 64 percent of the Hispanic American population. Of those Hispanic Americans who are dropouts, 63 percent were not born in the United States, while 3 percent of non-Hispanic American dropouts were not born in the United States. Overall, the analysis suggests that immigration appears to be a contributing factor to the high dropout rate among Hispanic Americans. If this pattern continues with the children of the current generation, then high dropout rates may continue in the future even if immigration rates decline substantially. Included are two figures and one table. (JB)